The document discusses inspiration and how to make it strong and meaningful. It defines inspiration as a process of being mentally stimulated to create something, rather than a random feeling. While inspiration is accessible through social media, it often leaves people wanting more without achieving anything. True inspiration requires discipline rather than just positive feelings. It should facilitate progress towards goals and increase well-being. To make inspiration strong, it's important that it holds up amid realities and demands action rather than just being fleeting emotions.

1. GRIP July’21
DIGITAL
MARKETING
TASK #2
CONTENT WRITING: SMALL
ARTICLES
BY
Ezhil lavanya.R(Content Developer Intern)
At Sparks Foundation.

2. HOW TO MAKE A STRONG
INSPIRATION

3. What is Inspiration?
– The Oxford Dictionary defines inspiration as:
“The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to
do something creative”.
– Commonly we think of people being randomly struck by a flash of inspiration, so
we see inspiration as a feeling that occurs almost by accident. However, as the
start of that dictionary definition states, inspiration is a process. We become
mentally stimulated (inspired) to do something. For those who want to feel
inspired, the key is to learn how to create an inspired state when we need to.

4. The Inspirational history of
Inspiration
– Inspiration has an unusual history in that its figurative sense appears to predate
its literal one. It comes from the Latin inspiratus (the past participle of inspirare,
“to breathe into, inspire”) and in English has had the meaning “the drawing of
air into the lungs” since the middle of the 16th century. This breathing sense is
still in common use among doctors, as is expiration (“the act or process of
releasing air from the lungs”). However, before inspiration was used to refer to
breath it had a distinctly theological meaning in English, referring to a divine
influence upon a person, from a divine entity; this sense dates back to the early
14th century. The sense of inspiration often found today (“someone or
something that inspires”) is considerably newer than either of these two
senses, dating from the 19th century.

5. Why Inspiration matters?
– “When your Daemon is in charge, do not try to think consciously. Drift, wait, and obey.” —
Rudyard Kipling
– In a culture obsessed with measuring talent and ability, we often overlook the important role
of inspiration. Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend our
ordinary experiences and limitations.
– The qualities of Inspiration:
– 1. Inspired people share certain characteristics.
– 2. Inspiration is not the same as positive affect.
– 3. Inspiration is the springboard for creativity.
– 4. Inspiration facilitates progress toward goals.
– 5. Inspiration increases well-being.

6. Problem of inspiration.
– Inspiration has never been more accessible. With Instagram and Pinterest, we
are flooded with inspirational quotes juxtaposed with a selfie or an epic sunset .
This trend spilled over into YouTube, where armies of pretty people are ready to
inspire and life-coach you to achieve new heights in life. We are in a Golden Age
of Inspiration. All this inspiration is so lovely, yet so useless.

7. Problem of inspiration(contd)
– There are some fundamental problems with today’s wave of inspiration:
– 1. Today’s inspiration is about emotion.
This wins the retweets, the hearts, the likes. So inspirational quotes that give you
*the feels* are most popular (example here.) But actually improving your life has
nothing to do with feelings, and everything to do with discipline.
– 2. Today’s inspiration leaves you wanting more.
Nothing gets done, so you go back for more inspiration. It’s more wasted time
reading quotes on Instagram. It’s another self-help book, another seminar, another
pricey session with a life coach.

8. “Today’s inspiration is confetti tossed up
into the air. A moment of excitement for
everyone, only to fall to the ground and
be forgotten.”
-MATT S. SMITH

9. Final Thoughts
– We are in a new era. You owe it to yourself to be skeptical of today’s inspiration
when it rushes to greet you. Demand that inspiration holds up amidst the
realities around you.
– Make no mistake. I’m not out to defeat inspiration. We all need a boost in life,
so let’s never stop encouraging one another in real life.

10. References
– ”Why inspiration matters” by Scott Barry
Kaufman https://hbr.org/2011/11/why-inspiration-matters
– “The trouble with creative inspiration” by Tanner
Christensen https://creativesomething.net/post/99256261400/the-trouble-
with-creative-inspiration
– “The Problem of Inspiration” by Matt
S.Smith https://smithhousedesign.com/the-problem-of-inspiration